Resilient wheel



Feb. 10. 1925. 1,525,615

B. E. LORENZ RES ILIENT WHEEL.

Filed Nov, 8, 1925 `3 Sheets-Sheet l Mg Lnr'enz.

Feb. 10, 1925i A 1,525,615 l B.- B. LORENZ Y RESILIENT WHEEL Filed Nov. a, 1923 s 'sheets-sheer 2 Feb. 10, 1925.

B. B. LORENZ RESILIENT WHEEL 3 sheets-sheet 5 FiledrNov. s, 1.925

z ,mn wm D L. E. n n P Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES BYRONBABCOCK LORENZ, OF FREDERICKTOWN, MISSOURI.

REsILrENT WHEEL.

applicati@ med Nevember s, 1923. sum1 No. 673,568.

To @ZZ Awhom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BYRON B. LORENZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Frederichtown, in the county of Madison and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Resilient Wheel, of which the following is a specication.

VThis invention relates to improvements in resilient wheels. r

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a resilient wheel which einbodies novel features rendering the same practical and very durable, in that the springswhich provide the resiliency therefor may be placed under a compression, incident to the load of the vehicle, both above and below the axis of the wheel support.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel type of vehicle wheel embodying certain features which are set forth in my Patent #1,454,122, granted May 8, 1923, and including advantages thereover in that the spring arrangement is of a more flexible and durable character.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate coi1`- responding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of Ithe improved` vehicle wheel, showing the novel structural details thereof, and especially `the novel spring and its supporting mechanism.

Figure 2 a cross sectional view taken diametrically through the improved vehicle wheel.

Figure 3 is an enlarged view showing details of the improved type of spring and supporting means embodied in the resilient wheel.`

Figure 4 is an enlarged View, partly in cross section, showing novel features of the `spring supporting and compressing means.

Figure 5 is a plan view of a spring engaging detail of this invention.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line (S4-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the hub casing of the resilient wheel.,`

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the bolt which is illustrated in Figure 8.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown but the preferred embodiment of the improved resilient wheel, the letter A may generally designate the resilient wheel, which may include a hub structure B; felly structure C; tire D; and the novel means E for resiliently supporting the hub structure B upon the felly construction C and the tire D.

The hub structure B may include a hub casing 10, provided with a tapered opening 11 therethrough into which the spindle of an aXle may extend. This hub casing 10 is preferably provided with the circumferential attaching lianges 12 and 13 at the outer and inner ends respectively thereof; said flanges 12 and 13 having aligning openings 15 therein. Plates 20 and 21, which are rigidly connected to the hub casing 10 by means of transverse bolts 23 which e1;- tend through the aligning openings 15 of the hub casing flanges 12 and 13 may be considered a part of the hub structure, as they extend rigidly outwardly therefrom at the outer and inner sides respectively of the vehicle wheel. The bolts 23 may also be utilized for connection of a brake drum 26 at the inside of the wheel, and to the outer side of the plate 21, in a suiiiciently spaced relation therewith to permit of action of the felly structure plates as will be subsequently described. It is preferred that the nut portions 24 of the bolts 23 be at the outer side of the wheel, in en* gagement with the plate 20; suitable sockets being provided in the plate 20 for the reception thereof; the outer annular portion 29 of the plate 20 thus lying in a plane which is disposed outwardly from the plane in which the nuts 24 lie, for a purpose which will be subsequently set forth.

Referring to the felly construction C, the same preferably includes a felly ring or casing 30, which at [opposite sides thereof has the outwardly extending tire retaining flanges 31 thereon, and on the inside circumference thereof has the spaced flanges 32 and 33 at the inner and outer edges thereof, provided with suitable openings theren jointed adapted to receive transversely extending bolts 3ft therethrough. Outer and inner side plates 36 and 37 respectively are preferably provided for attachment to the flanges 32 and 33 by means of the bolts 3l. The boltsv 3i preferably have the detachable nut pori tions 38 thereof at the outside of the vehicle wheel A, land fitting in the annular groove 39 provided at the outer margin of the side plate 36, so that said nut structures 38 lie inwardly of the plane of the main portion of the plate 36, and inwardly vof the side of the tire D, to prevent mutilation inciden-t to driying over rough roads, and to prevent the bolts from being van impediment to travel. The outer side plate '36 centrally thereof provided with theI annular outwardly extending screw threaded flange el() adapted to detachably receive thereover the hub cap 42.

Then the hub structure B is properly as sembled with respect to the felly structurel (l. the side plates 2O and 2l are in respective sliding contact wit-h the inner surfaces of the side plates 36 and 37. The plates 2O and 36,. of course, overlap, as do also the plates 2l and 37. lt is preferred thatfthe plates 2l and 37 be respectively provided at the outer margins thereof with suitable U-shaped channelportions its providing annular grooves adapted to receive packing elg the packing being in contact with the facing sliding plates, to provide al non-leak connection of the overlappingplates 2l and 37. It is thus apparent from this description of the plate constructions between the hub and felly parts that a compartment is provided of a leak-proof character, and which normally is adapted to carry a supply of oil within which operates the telly supporting structures E.

Any number of the spring arrangements E may be provided within the compartment o of the vehicle wheel A, consistent with the size thereof; these structures E= extending in. radial relation from the hub casing l to the folly or rim portion 30. Each of the spring supporting devices E includes the spiral compression spring and substantially U-shaped connecting devices 5l and 52 which are respectively connected to the felly and hub bolts 34 and 23 of the resilient wheel, and extend in planes at right angles to each other through the spring for con nection to the spring at its free ends.

'lhc devices 51 and 52 are similarly lprmed, each including a rigid U-shaped body portion 55 which provides the outstanding legs 56 and 57 and thebight portion 5S which connects said legs. The legs 56 and 57 at their free ends are transverselv slotted, as at' 59, although not entirely slotted to their free ends, as can readily be seen in Figure @l of the drawings. Sleeves 60 and 6l, of similar formation, are slidabli,Y

disposed respectively on the legs 56 and 5T in a telescopic relation therewith, providing passageways 62 therein into which the legs 56 and 57 slidably extend` Bolts 63 of novel formation: connect the sleeves 60 and 6l upon the legs 56 and 57 in a positive manner. Each of the bolts 63, as shown in Fig. 9, preferably includes a flat body portion 65 of polygonal outline which extends through a suitable opening in the inner end of each of the sleeves 60 or l61 for slidable positioning in the slot 59 of the U-shaped body 55. A head 66 is provided on each bolt 63 which lies at one side of the sleeve 60 or 6l and a screw threaded shank 67 detachably carries a nut 68 which may engage the opposite side of the sleeve'to maintain the bolt 63 in position so that the sleeve is slidably connected in a positive and nondetachable manner with respect to a leg of the body 55.

Referring to the manner 'of connecting the U-shaped devices 5l and 52, sleeves 70 are provided for each of the felly bolts 34, which are open at their ends, and in which ends suitable'bushings 7l are disposed, of any approved material, such as babbitt. rIhese sleeves 70 and the bushings 71 therein receive the bolts 34 therethrough to hingedlyv support the sleeves 70 between the felly flanges 32 and 33, substantially as is illusi trated in Figure 2 of the drawings. Each sleeve 70 radially provides av screw threaded shank 7 3 which extends outwardly from thefelly rim 30 and is adapted to receive the bight portion 58 of each U-shaped device 51; a nut 74 being provided to retain the device 5l on the shank 73 so that the device 5l extends radially inwardly toward the hub of the wheel A. It is preferred that the plane of the device 51 be disposed in parallelism with the plane of the vehicle wheel. On the other hand, sleeves 76 are provided for the hub bolts 23, which in the the ends thereof. are provided with bushingsv 77 for the oscillative support of the sleeves 76 upon the hub bolts 23 between the flanges l2 and 13 of the hub casing l0. The sleeves 76 preferablv .provide a radial eX- tension 7 S which projects towards the felly of the wheel and which at its end provides a screw threaded shank 79 for receiving thereover the bight portion 5S of a device 52; thev latter being. retained on vthe screw threaded shank 79 as by a nut S0. Each radial extension 78 also has the laterally extending stop lugs 82 at each side thereof, against which the free ends of the device 5l may abut under certain compression force of the spring, as will be subsequently described. y

At the outer end of each sleeveV 60 and 6l of the devices 5l and 52 a screw threaded shank S5 is provided, adapted to receive a polygonal shaped nut 86 whereby to clamp a substantially` crescent shaped spring conllS tacting flange 87 at theouter end ot each sleeve; the attaching plate or flange 87 having a suitable opening 88 tor receiving the screw threaded shank therethrough. Suitable protecting casings 89 may be disposed over the nuts 8G and connected thereto by means ot cotter 1wins 90; the protecting casings 89 being provided to prevent mutilation ot the nuts 86 incident to the battering ot the same against the hinged sleeves 70 in the case ot the U-shaped device 52, and the stop lugs 82 in the case ot the device 51. As before mentioned the U-shaped device 51 is connectedat the telly portion ot the wheel A and extends through the spring 50, and at its tree end is connected to the spring 50 by means of the laterally extending attaching plates or flanges 87 which engage over the end ot the spring 50 and clamp the spring in a delinite relation to the device 51 at the tree end ot said device 51. Similarly, the devices 52 which are oscillatively pivoted at the hub ot the wheel A extend outwardly through the springs 50, and it is to be noted that the plane deiined by each U-shaped device 52 is at right angles to the plane defined by the vehicle wheel A and is in inverted right angled relation `with respect to the device 51 disposed through the same spring. At their tree ends the sleeves GO and 61 of the device 52 are connected to the outer end ot the spring 50 through which they are disposed, by means ot the attaching plates or flanges 87 which are carried by, the device 52. It is thus to be` noted that each spring 50 is placed in a compressed relation between the attaching plates or flanges 87 at the outer ends ot the devices 51 and 52. This compression ot the springs 5() is suiiicient to maintain the telly structure ot the vehicle wheel A in a concentric relation with the axis ot the wheel when there is no weight upon the wheel, and as can readily be understood. In order that there will be.

no liability ot shitting ot the devices 51 and 52 out ot their right angled relation and. their position with respect to the trame ot the vehicle wheelA, it is preferred that the shanks 73 and 7 9 ot the sleeve structures 70 and 76 which support the trames 55 ot `the devices 51 and 52, be provided with a cross sectional view in Figure 6 ot the drawings.

It -is of course to be understood that any number of the devices E may be liared 1n radial relation between the hub and telly Astructure of the resilient wheel A, consistent with the size ot the vehicle wheel and the load which the same is to support. The

compartment of the vehicle wheel A be- 'tween the side plates and in which the spring asthe hub casing 10 moves away from the A? upper portion ot the telly. The tact that the devices 51 and 52 are oscillatively connected by the novel sleeves to the telly and hub bolts provides a very satistactory arrangement with the proper flexing of the compression devices E which are located laterally ot the axis ot the vehicle wheel as well as those in horizontal position,4 so that they may take up some ot the load. A very novel feature ot this invention is the tact that the devices E will permit the springs 50 below the axis ot the wheel to compress to take some ot the weight ot an excessive load, as well as the taking up ot this load by compression ot the springs above the axis ot the wheel. The tact that the springs 50 below the vehicle wheel axis may com press is permitted because ot the telescopic nature ot the devices 51 and 52. Under an abnormal load the devices E below the axis ot the wheel will operate as tollows:-The hub connected part 52 will, ot course, move downwardly until the protecting casings 89 at the ends ot the sleeves 60 and 61 thereot Contact the sleeves 70, and any turther movement ot the hub structure downwardly toward the ground surface will cause the legs 56 and 57 ot the device 52 to slide into the sleeves 60 and 61. ln a similar manner the device 51 ot each structure E which is located below the axis ot the wheel may have the sleeves 60 and 61 thereof telescoped over the legs 5G and 57 incident to contact ot the protecting casings y89 thereofy against the laterally extending stop lugs 82, It is thus apparent that the sleeve portions ot' the parts 51 and 52 will permit the legs ot the U.shaped portions to slide thereinto to permit the compressing ot the springs 50 between the upper and lower attaching plates 87 which contact the same, so that the 'devices E which are below the axis ot the Yvehicle wheel, incident to an abnormal load will be compressed to take some ot the weight ot the load. It is also apparent that the devices E above the vehicle wheel axis are operated in normai manner and are compressed to take the primary share ot the load.

Various changes in the shape, size, and

arrangement ot parts may be made to the torm ot invention herein shoivn and described, Without departing trom the spirit ot this invention or the scope ot the claims.

I claim: l. As an article ot manufacture a coinpression member toi' vehicle ivlieels coin* prising telescopic members, a spring 'receiving the telescopic members therethrough,

l means connecting one ot the telescopic members to one end ot the spring, and means connecting the other telescopic ineinber to the other end ot said spring.

2. In a vehicle Wheel the combination ot a hub structure, a telly structure, a spring, a telescopic member connected at one end to the telly structure and at its other end con nected to the spring, and a telescopic meinber connected at one end to the hub structure and at its other end to the spring at a point remote trom the connection ot the iirst mentioned telescopic member `with said spring.

3. As an article ot manutacture 'a spring rsupporting device tor vehicle Wheels comprising a telly connected member including a portion tor direct connection to the'telly and a portion slidable on said iirst inentioned portion, a hub 4connected member including a portion tor direct connection to a hub and a portion slidable v'on said last y mentioned portion, a spring having the telly connected member and hub connected member extending therethrough, and means tor connecting the slidable portions ot said connected members to opposite ends ot said spring.

4. In a vehicle Wheel structure the combination ot a hub arrangement, a telly arrangement, a `spiral compression spring, a. collapsible device oscillatively connected to the hub arrangement and extending through said spring for connection to the end ot said spring remote trom the hub arrangement, and a collapsible device oscillati'vely coniiected tothe telly arrangement and'eXtending through said spring tor connection to the end ot said spring vremote trom the telly arrangement connected end.

In a vehicle wheel construction the combination ot a telly ring having transverse bolts connected thereto, a hub Casing having transverse bolts connected thereto, sleeves oscillatively carried by the transverse bolts ot said telly andliub, U`sliaped inembers iixedly connected to the sleeves on said bolts, sleeves slidable on the ends ot said U-shaped members, a compression spring, means connecting the sleeves ot vone otsaid U-slia'ped members to one end ot said spring and the sleeves ot the other U-shaped member to the opposite end ot said spring Whereby upon movement ot the hub 'casing away trom a portion ot the telly ring said spring will be placed under compression, and stops tor said slidable sleeves, whereby upon movement ott-lie hub casing toward a portion ot the telly ring said springs ivill also be placed under compression.

6. lii a vehicle wheel the coiiiliiiiatioii et hub and telly structures, bolts carried hy said hub and telly structures, sleeves oscillatively carried on the bolts ot said hub and telly structures, members radially extending 'outwardly trom said sleeves in a fixed relation therewith, a spring receiving said meinbers therethrough, and means connecting said members to opposite ends ot said spring.

7. In a vehicle wheel structure the combination ot a hub and telly structures, devices connected to said hub and telly structures each including a part slidable thereon, a spring, and means connecting the slidable parts ot said devices to opposite ends ot said spring, vsaid spring adapted to be placed under compression when the liub moves aivay trom the telly,"said sliding parts ot the devices ivhen the liub moves toward the telly adapted to contart parts ot the vehicle ivlieel to permit collapsing ot said devices to compress the spring tor supporting a load upc-n the vehicle Wheel.

S. In a vehicle Wheel spring supporting device the combination ot a pair ot U-sliaped trames including leg portions provided with transverse slots therein, sleeves s'lidable on the legs ot said U-shaped tra-mes, bolt means Aconnecting said sleeves thru the `slots ot the legs ot said trames to permit sliding ot said sleeves vthereon tor a limited amplitude ot movement, a spring, and means tor connecting the outer ends ottlie sleeves ot one ot the U`shaped trames to one end ot the spring and vtliesleeves ot the other U-shaped trame to 'the opposite end ot said spring.

9. A vehicle ivheel construction comprising a hub casing, a telly rim, plates carried in 'spaced relation at 'the sides ot the telly rinia'nd hub casing to provide a compartl'nient in the vehicle ivlieel, the plates ot the hub casing being disposed in overlapping relation with the plates ot 'the telly rimr` U-sliaped trames carried in oscillative relation by 'the hub casing and the telly riin and extending radially ot the lvehicle Wheel, sleeves slidably'supportedon the end portions ot said U-sliaped trames, spiral springs receiving the end portions ot the AU-shaped"ti"ames therethrough, and means connecting the sleeve portions ot the trames, Which are connected to the hubcasing, to the outer end'ot "the spring andthe sleeves ot the U-sli'aped trames, which are connected with the telly rim, with the inner end ot said springs.

'BYRON BABCOCK LORENZ.

lOl) 

